Trans @ Columbia

Trans @ Columbia is a page dedicated to providing up-to-date policies, services, and resources for Columbia's transgender community. Please email lgbtqa@columbia.edu if you have any questions, content additions, or edits to the page.

"Preferred Name" Policy

As of Spring 2016, Columbia University has a "preferred name" policy that will allow students to change their first and/or middle name in the SSOL. The "preferred name" will appear on University ID Cards, Class rosters, SSOL, Courseworks/Canvas, CourseWorks discussion groups, and the Public Directory (unless a FERPA information block has been requested). For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions for Columbia's "Preferred Name" Policy.

Gender Neutral Restroom Map

The Gender Neutral Restroom Map can be found on the Columbia University Maps webpage. A more comprehensive map is in development, check back soon!

Swim Test Accomodations/Waiver

All students in Columbia College are required to pass a swimming test or take beginning swimming for one term to fulfill the swimming requirement. Students may now request waivers and accomodations on the grounds of religious observance or gender identity/expression concerns. All requests for waivers and accomodations are reviewed by Abbey Lade, Director of Physical Education. Details about the swim test and waivers or acccomodations for students can be found on the Physical Education Requirement webpage.

Transgender Health

Columbia Health is committed to addressing the health needs of transgender students at Columbia University. Columbia Health's Medical Services and Counseling and Psychological Services provide on-campus services or access to off-campus resources that support the needs of people who identify on the transgender spectrum.

Medical Services

Transgender Students, those who feel like their sex assigned at birth is an incorrect or incomplete description of themselves, may seek individual, customized care with Medical Services providers. In an effort to better support and communicate services for LGBTQ students, Columbia Health developed a LGBTQ at Columbia Health webpage that highlights the mental health and support, medical care, and other resources, including services specifically for transgender students.

Care Coordination, including referrals for initiation of hormones and reassignment surgery

*Students may schedule and appointment with a health care provider at Medical Services to talk about their options.

Mental Health and Counseling

Students may schedule and appointment with the clinician at Couseling and Psychological Services (CPS) to discuss a range of topics to address their mental health needs. CPS has a LGBTQ Concerns Team that have a special interest and expertise in working with LGBTQ students and may be good matches for LGBTQ students.

Off-Campus Services

The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan provides coverage for hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries, which are conducted off campus.

Schedule an appointment with a Medical Services provider who can provide more detailed information, and check out additional information on Columbia's Health website.

Student Organizations

GendeRevolution (GendeRev/GR) is the trans support and advocacy group of Columbia and Barnard. We aim to create safe spaces and advocate for trans and queer people at Columbia and Barnard, raising awareness about the spectrum of trans identities and experiences. GendeRevolution embraces an intersectional approach to social justice. Drop by our meetings Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m., Stephen Donaldson Lounge, Furnald Hall, or send us an email at grboard@columbia.edu to get in touch.